Robert Calvert - we like to be frightened

Here's a rare Rob Calvert song which i myself have not heard so often - although i am a self professed Robert Calvert fan. Rob Calvert was one of Britains greatest Rock Poets, who unfortunately died too early from a heart attack. His contributions to the band Hawkwind were indispensable and left lasting impressions on the science fiction acid rock bands' projected image of futuristic psychic warriors from another time.
The man was somehow a genius of alternative viewpoints, and liked to place reality into different perspectives, and view it from a less conditioned way of looking at things. Or perhaps 'reconditioned" is the word, for he did indeed reprogram his world with his visions of alternative realities. The worlds he created with his poems and lyrics have become almost real in the minds of those who have absorbed his Cosmology into their brains. Surrealistic and Quirky are the worlds which Robert Calvert projects with his Poetry. I believe he is an individual who cannot be likened to any other personality, with perhaps the exception of the Sci Fi author Philip K Dick, who was also rather schizo and addicted to amphetamines, which is something that could perhaps also be said for Rob.  Philip K. Dick was then author of Blade Runner (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?) and A Scanner Darkly (which was made into a movie with Keanu Reeves), and The Zap Gun

I became a real fan of Rob Calvert when i heard his two concept albums, "Lucky Leif and the Longships", and "Captain Lockheed and the Starfighters".
Lucky Leif was an album about an alternative Earth, where the Vikings managed to reach America, and how America would now be if it had been so.

Captain Lockheed and the Starfighters is a concept album that takes a tongue in cheek look at the Nazis, and the second world war.

Download Rob Calvert Mp3s 

Lucky Leif and the Longships Album;
The Making of Midgard | Voyaging to Vinland | Ship of Fools | The Lay of the Surfers | Brave New World

Robert Calvert also appeared with many other Prog Rock bands of the seventies and early eighties, such as Amon Duul in their 1989 album, - Die Losung
The Strawberry Bricks Guide to Progressive Rock   Classic Rock Presents Prog (Jethro Tull, Pentangle, Fairpoint Convention... John Martyn, Number 12 2010)

 

Stranger in a Strange Land - Robert Calvert

This is an amazing piece of Prog Rock Poetry with the same name as the Cult 60s Bible of the Hippies "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert A. Heinlein. Stranger in a Strange Land is a connotation to thos epople who are either born before their time, oor feel that their thinking and worldview is different to that of the general conditioned minds of society, and does not feel at home in this enviroment.
The book by Heinlein portrays the world from the point of view of a Human being who grew up with aliens on another planet (Mars). This is a massive Social Satire and Critique of the values which Human Society places on things, and how importand things are neglected and unhealthy things are promoted. The concept of right and wrong, justice and mercy, compassion etc is also turned on their heads and viewed from an alternative perspective. I wonder if Rob Calverts song refers to these things?

The Strawbs - a Psychedelic Folk experience

The Strawbs are pretty much a Cult band who are even lesser known in hippy, folk and Psychedelic circles. Either you were lucky enough to get turned on to the Strawbs or you weren't. I was lucky,i was. For those who have enjoyed listening to Psychedelic Music whilst experiencing Psychotropic substances and heard the Strawbs whilst doing so, i don't have to explain anything. The sound of the Strawbs is evokative of a semi medieval Cosmic prose which calls up fleeting visions of Ancient times and perhaps previous lives remembered from long ago... suggestive lyrics arouse sensations of Deja-Vu, as if some cryptic wake up call were hidden within the notes and melodies of the inimitable sound of the Strawbs. Their mos famous song was perhaps the only one i don't like (part of the Union) - this was obviously a marketing thing to get them on radio, for the rest of their music is nothing like this song, much subtler and ancient sounding.

Part of the Union

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I remember in my Hippy days solong ago, noticing a wonderfully Cosmic picture on my friend Paddy's wall - a Cosmic Gypsy standing on top of a rock pinnacle high above the stars and Galaxies,looks down onto the world below. This image impressed me so deeply that i had to have one, and immediately set out on a search for it. I then found out that it is the inner sleeve of the album "Grave New World" by the Strawbs. The music is as evocative as the album sleeve.

Here is your chance now to Turn on to the Strawbs, with some of my favourite songs below.

Ghost - The Strawbs

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Download Ghost by the Strawbs as an MP3 file (full song and free!)

Heroines Theme, Deep Summer Sleep, The Winter Long.

strawbs mp3 | lyrics

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Download Heroines Theme deep Summer Sleep, The Winter Long as an Mp3 file (full song and free!)

So Close and Yet so Far Away

strawbs mp3 | lyrics

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The Strawbs and Sandy Denny

Sandy Denny was the sweetest angels voice i ever heard - she also featured with the Strawbs, which was a totally compatible mix - Sandy Denny left us too early, which is something her wonderful voice reminds me of every time i hear her sing. She should have had more time to record much more than she did. The songs she left us however, are all absolutely priceless works of songmanship, which will stand as testimony to her amazing talent for future generations to enjoy and marvel at her sweet angelic voice.

Sandy Denny (6 January 1947 – 21 April 1978), born Alexandra Elene Maclean Denny, was an English singer and songwriter  who has been described by Allmusic's Richie Unterberger as "the pre-eminent British folk rock singer".
Denny is considered a founder of the British folk rock movement and perhaps its most important female singer, songwriter and personality. Over a ten year career Sandy Denny left an extensive legacy and remains influential. She is remembered for her pivotal involvement with the British folk rock scene, where, as a member of Fairport Convention, she moved the band away from west coast American cover versions and into performing traditional material and original compositions.

Denny is also remembered as a composer most notably on her solo albums which represent her claim to be Britain's finest female singer-songwriter, as asserted by the Sunday Express, Uncut and Mojo. Her composition, "Who Knows Where the Time Goes?", has been covered by numerous artists as diverse as Judy Collins, Nina Simone and Cat Power and is now regarded as a classic. Famous also for her exceptional voice, it has been suggested that her effortless and smooth vocal delivery still sets the standard for many of today's female folk-based singers.

She is also noted for her duet with Robert Plant on the song "The Battle of Evermore" from Led Zeppelin's fourth album released in 1971. She remains to this day the only guest vocalist on a Led Zeppelin album. (wikipedia -Sandy Denny)

My Favourite song of all from Sandy Denny is of course, "Who Knows where the Time Goes?" (with Fairport Convention) - and i would like to include it here for you to listen to - prepare for goosebumps when you listen if you haven't heard this before, as i guarantee you that you are going to get some.

Who knows where the Time goes - Fairport Convention 

Cool Music Links;

Strawbs songs on Mog | Official Strawbs Homepage

Strawbs on Progarchives | Strawbs Pictures